LAKE COUNTY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 989, 1 April 1881, Page 3

LAKE COUNTY.

Queenstown c ime out handsomely at the gubernatorial visit, and gave Sir A. If. Gordon a right royal reception, and notwithstanding the face that he is at all times very reserved and undemonstrative, it was nevertheless quite apparent that he very much appreciated the c irdial welcome and loyal demonstration of the people. Kather a ludicrous event occurred almost immediately after his landing from Kingston. While walking along the pathway in Beach street a curious exhibition met his view in the shape of a highly decorated tablet, placed in the midst of an arbour of evergreens. This was the exhibition of Mr Edward M'Oaffery, stonemason and sculptor, and whose skill and cunning is chiefly devoted to works ofa strictly memorial order. The novelty of the thing evidently attracted His Excellency’s attention, as he stepped on oae side to look at it, when he was evidently taken by surprise to find that it was a tombstone inscribed to the memory of a deceased lady of Queenstown ! But this did. not end the matter, as on the following Monday evening, as His Excellency was on his way from the steamer, after coming down the Lake and passing the same place, he walked deliberately into Mr M'Caffciy’s yard and asked to see tire identical tombstone, which being shown him, he spoke high'y in favor of Mr M'Cafiery’s elaborate work, and admired the quality and high finish that could be put upon Twelve Mile sandstone. Of course, His Excellency could not give Mr M'Caffery an order, nevertheless that gentleman was highly pleased at His Excellency’s condescension as being almost the only citizen of Queenstown His Ex ellency had vouchsafed to address on any but the most formal of subjects; possibly His Excellency likes a quiet joke to himself, especially when it is a grave one.

An amusing incident occurred in tbe Warden’s Court on Monday at Queenstown, before Major KeddelL Some applications for mining privileges were before the Court, and one in particular for a “ tail race,” in the name of Jonn Dunn, engaged the Ma jor’s attention, and he enquired who John Dunn was? The Mining Agent who was attending upon the application replied that Mr John Dunn was a Chinaman. Major Keddcll was of course amazed, and naturally desired some information as to how the Celestial applicant came by that name, when Mr Mining Agent replied that it was by order of the Court. It is needless to say that the Court was i fairly perplexed, when Mr Mining Agent in explanation went on further to explain that the Court had ordered that every Chinaman coming there should have a plain name. His client was named Ming Nunn, and, to make things plain and easy, he had.advised him to adopt the name of J oLn Dunn as coming nearest to his Celestial de signation. Major KcdJell, also every other person in the Court, appeared to be both amazed and amused, when the Major, good humourcdly addressing Mi Mining Agent said—That bo did

not order all the Chinese coming before him to be re-named ; ali that lie said was that their names should lie written plainly and distinctly so that they might be read, together with that of the agent acting on their behalf, As their was no objections, he (Major Keddell) would grant Mr John Dunn’s application. There was no demonstration made by the people of the Arrow to receive or welcome His Excellency the Governor to the Wakatip district. The Hon. John Hall, in company with Major Keddell, R.M., visited Arrowtown on Sunday, when they visited the camp buildings, including the inevitable gaol, which public and useful building it is said Mr Hall will cause to le rc-Instituted as a fully fledged house of detention for wrong doers. This is a very necessary step, not that people here envy Clyde the possession of such of our population whose absence or safe custody is deemed a necessity, but it is the expense the county is put to in sending them there, the cost being L 6 2s 6J per head, A prisoner committed for seven or fourteen days becomes, undtr such circumstances, a very “ dear fellow.” The Arrowtown Borough Council are in high glee at the arrival at Port Chalmers from England of the waterpipes for the intended water supply These pipes’ have been objects of solicitude to our municipal sages, as they have been a long time on the way, and were said to have gone to the bottom of the “sad, salt sea.” Now they have happily turned up, and Arrowtown citizens will soon bo in a position to enjoy tho deliciously cool and invigorating nectai which flows from a pure and undefiled s uvee. It is said fie Mayor would have gone over to Queenstown, notwithstanding local jealousies being in the way, and personally welcomed the Governor, but His Excellency lining a Scotchman and Highbinder in the bargain, it was impossible for Uis Worship to carry out his ideas properly, owing to tho non-arrival of the Corporation “ pipes.” He is, however, now quite ready for the next vice-regal visit. In mining matters, at Macetown there is but little to report. The want of water makes tin ;gs very dull, and a number of men have been discharged from some of the claims which have, probably for the want of gold, been compelled to adopt a retrenchment policy. In alluvial mining things have improved a little, as owing to it being itnpo.-aible to obtain anything in tho shape of wages unemployed miners have been compelled to find out something for themselves, I and they have succeeded in opening | out at least a dozen payable claims in the neighborhood ot Macetown and the Eight Mile. Other claims lower down the Arrow River have been opened out under similar circumstances The new winze now bang su ik in the Homeward Bound mine, to connect the middle with tho lower level, has reached a depth of 25ft; the very excellent ho rl y of stone struck at the start still continues. It is two feet six inches wide, well defined between both walls, and shows gold throughout With this block of stone properly opened out upon, there should he some very good crush mgs, and possibly dividends in the future. The Company have struck some very good stone running into the Premier shaft. A specimen which I was shown on Saturday by the Manager looked qui'e equal to anything yet obtained in this mine. The prospects of tho Tipperary Company have much improved this last week. The stone from the various levels looks much better, and the next crushing should show a considerable change for the better.